Captivated_Kobo

by Steph

  But I won’t go down without a fight.

  “Actually, I don’t know your name.” If I’m going to get through this, I can’t show any fear. “I have no idea who you are or why you choose to live in the middle of nowhere, alone except for two dogs, with no visitors except a housekeeper.”

  His mouth quirks into a slight smile. “You’ve been thorough.”

  Probably best to keep my mouth shut about that.

  “I’m desperate.”

  Shit. That came out a little more raw than I’d intended.

  My breath hitches in my chest. The stakes are too high for me to fail. I have to find some way to leave the house with that file.

  “So you’d be willing to do anything for that file.”

  He didn’t phrase it as a question. He knew he had me by the short hairs.

  I answer anyway. “Yes.”

  He stares at me for several more seconds and I try to control my breathing. Conflicting emotions of fear and lust wreak havoc on my body. I’m hot and cold, shaky and still, all at the same time.

  I’d said yes and I mean it. I’ll do anything for this file.

  “So if I tell you to strip and lie across that desk, you’ll do it?”

  Shock makes me freeze. Then heat flushes through my body on a rush of adrenaline.

  My cheeks burn and I’m pretty sure they’re bright red. My lungs ache with the need for oxygen but I don’t want to gasp.

  I do not want to be aroused by him.

  Can I really be attracted to a man who could force me to do anything he wants? Will he force me to have sex with him? Or does he want to humiliate me?

  And will I really be that upset if he does want to have sex with me?

  Watching his every move has obviously made me insane.

  “I guess I need to know if you plan to hurt me.”

  His mouth loses the slight grin. “I’m not a sadist.”

  “Then what are you?”

  Those dark eyebrows rise again. “I’m a man whose private property you have stuffed in your pants.”

  I hadn’t forgotten it was there but now I feel the paper file sticking to the sweaty skin of my back.

  He shifts slightly in his chair and I watch his every move with growing fascination.

  Now that I’m in the same room with him, I sense a wildness about him, which is probably just fantasy on my part.

  Maybe I’m trying to talk myself into actually doing what he wants. However, I’m usually a better negotiator than this.

  “So I show you my naked body and you let me leave with the file. Is that the deal?”

  He shrugs. “I never said that was all I wanted.”

  My jaw sets. “Then what do you want?”

  I can’t keep the frustration out of my voice now. My brain has been running at high speed, trying to keep up with him. I’m pretty damn smart but I have a feeling I’ve met my mental match.

  I don’t think I’m going to be able to talk my way out of this situation. And if I’m honest, I’m not sure I want to.

  There’s a part of me that wants him, that wants to give him exactly what he asked for. Although he didn’t actually ask for it.

  “Maybe I want more than just to look at your naked body. Maybe I want to touch you.”

  My heart pounds against my ribs and my mouth waters thinking about him putting his hands on me.

  I can’t help it. My gaze drops to his knees, where his hands rest. They’re huge. And scarred. And I don’t mean like average, everyday scars from nicks and scratches. I mean, they’re both covered with large, ropy scars over the back and probably the palms.

  I can’t help but wonder what happened to them.

  When my gaze finally returns to his, the intensity in those eyes has deepened. As has the color. His brown eyes now look almost black.

  I hadn’t been able to tell from my surveillance but this close, they were mesmerizing.

  But I’m not here on a date. I can’t afford to be sidetracked.

  “And if I agree?”

  I should be horrified. And seriously terrified that this man holds my fate in his hands.

  Instead, I sit here fantasizing about him putting those hands on me.

  I’ve been told before that I’m damaged, that I have no morals, which is completely untrue. I have a strong moral code. I never steal from anyone who would suffer from the loss. Because I’m good and can command high prices for my services, I have the ability to turn down any job I don’t want. Much of what I steal has been obtained illegally and can be returned to its rightful owner.

  Yes, I know I’m breaking the law but I also know that my methods are more…humane than others.

  I’ve never had a job that involved bloodshed. I’ve also never been caught before. I’ve also never taken as much of an interest in a mark as I have with this one.

  Maybe my brain is a little more warped than I thought because I’m getting excited.

  His head tilts to the side, as if he’s considering his answer, but his gaze never leaves mine.

  Finally, he leans forward in his chair and I instinctively lean back. His eyes narrow, the only sign that he notices my reaction. Lifting his glass from the table, he takes a swallow and now I watch his throat.

  Oh my god, I’ve got to stop. This is ridiculous.

  “I agree not to harm you in any way.”

  His voice sends a shiver down my spine. I can’t believe I’m contemplating his offer.

  Actually, that’s not right. I know exactly why I’m contemplating his offer and it has as much to do with the ache in the pit of my stomach as it does with the life-and-death nature of why I need the file.

  “And you’ll allow me to leave tomorrow morning. With the file. Without calling the police.”

  His expression shows no sign of triumph or gloating. “You’ll be able to walk out the front door. No strings attached, no cops. The information is yours to do with as you want.”

  It’s too easy. There has to be strings attached.

  And still, I know I’m going to take the deal because it’s the best I can hope for.

  “Then I accept.”

  Chapter Four

  Aiden

  I hear her words and, even though I knew she’d agree, I’m shocked she accepts so quickly.

  Lust roars through my body on a wave that threatens to drown out rational thought. That’s dangerous. Even though it’s only lust, I have to keep it under control. I’ll take her tonight and send her on her way when the sun comes up. And I’ll get part of the satisfaction I crave.

  Her father deserves every ounce of pain coming his way. She’s merely the vessel to provide it.

  The fact that she’s a beautiful vessel means nothing except that fucking her won’t be painful. Far from it.

  Now that she’s agreed, I don’t want to waste any time. I’m going to renege on one of the promises she believes I’ve made in good faith but not all. She’ll walk out of here unharmed when the sun rises.

  I rise to my feet, towering over her, but she doesn’t cringe. She has to tilt her head back to maintain eye contact, baring her throat, and I have the overwhelming urge to wrap my hand around her neck and pull her against me so I can devour her mouth.

  Instead, I turn, walk to the chair behind the desk, and sink into it. It’s not a traditional desk chair, it’s a wing chair, and I slouch back into it, waiting for the show to begin.

  With baited breath. My cock is already hard, although I hope like hell she can’t tell.

  It takes her several long seconds to respond. She blinks, the only outward sign of nervousness and, finally, she moves. She rises from the chair with a sinuous grace that makes it hard for me to stay still. I want to reach for her and pull her onto my lap.

  My body likes that idea and my fingers dig into the arms of the chair for several seconds before I consciously relax them.

  She walks to the desk, the formfitting black top and pants she’s wearing highlighting every slight curve.

  Stopping
on the other side of the desk, she puts her hands on her hips and looks me straight in the eyes.

  I see a challenge there and I want to grin but I bite it back. I’ve told her the terms. I’m allowing her the choice of how she wants to do this.

  I don’t really expect a striptease. I figure she’ll shed her clothes as fast as possible, throw them in my face in defiance then stand there and stare me down, unafraid and unashamed.

  Instead, she holds my gaze and lifts her top up and over her head as if she were undressing for a lover.

  It’s a good tactic. It might have set another man back.

  It settles me, allows me to breathe and enjoy the show.

  And it is a show.

  She’s attempting to take the upper hand. It’s not going to happen but I’ll let her have the moment.

  Of course, she’s nowhere close to being naked. Beneath the shirt, she’s wearing a black sports bra that covers everything important. No cleavage, not at all sexy.

  Except it is, because now I can’t wait to see what’s beneath.

  But she’s not ready to allow that. She reaches for the snap on her pants and pops it with an audible click. My gaze drops at the sound and I see the quiver of her belly. I plan to lick my way up that stomach to her breasts and down again to her pussy, where I’m going to make her come with my tongue.

  The thought makes my mouth water and I grind my back teeth. Her gaze drops to my jaw and I see her lips twitch at the corners. She doesn’t actually smile but I can tell she wants to.

  I’m going to wipe that expression away soon enough.

  Reaching behind her to remove the file from her pants, she puts it on the desk in front of her.

  I don’t even look at it.

  Now, her hands go to the zipper to release it before she shoves the pants down her thighs.

  Before I can get a good look at her, she bends at the waist, dragging the pants with her. I see the line of her spine and she looks so damn slight, my hand might actually span her entire back.

  When she straightens, I see the first sign of nerves.

  She blinks several times and her gaze drops to the floor for long seconds before she meets mine again.

  Part of me wants to pity her. And part of me knows she’s nothing more than the means to an end. And I didn’t lie. I will never physically hurt her.

  I see her fingers shake slightly as she reaches for the band of her bra and pulls it over her head. It’s stretchy but tight and doesn’t give as easily as her shirt. She has to twist her torso to get it over her breasts, and her body moves in a way that makes my mouth dry.

  I knew it would be no chore to fuck her. But maybe I hadn’t counted on how much I want to put her under me.

  I can’t let that send me off track. I have a plan. Which doesn’t mean I can’t enjoy her. Hell, I definitely plan to enjoy her.

  And the aftermath…even more.

  Finally, she works the bra over her head and stands in front of me almost naked. Her breasts are a little bigger released from their confinement and I find it increasingly hard to breathe.

  I should cut myself some slack. I tell myself I’m just as turned on by her nudity as I am by knowing I’ll finally have my revenge on her father.

  I let my gaze travel from her breasts down to her panties then up again to her face.

  She knows what I want. I only have to lift my eyebrows to make her swallow hard then move her hands to her panties. Her chin lifts slightly as she works her thumbs into the waistband then pushes down. Her hips shift and my fingers curl into the arms of the chair.

  Air is scarce once again and I breathe in through my nose though I don’t let my gaze drop immediately.

  Her cheeks are pinker now and I find it harder to control my reaction.

  She’s obviously aroused and that feeds my desire. My cock throbs against my zipper and I want to release the pressure, but I know my limits. If I unzip my pants now, she’ll be under me in seconds.

  And I don’t want this to be over so quickly. I want her to enjoy it. I want her to want it as much as I do.

  Then I want to send her back to her father without the file he needs to save his life.

  I’ve been living for this moment for years and I’m sure that’s part of the reason I’m so aroused.

  Yes, she’s pretty and I want to fuck her but she’s not my normal type. Lately I haven’t had a normal type. Just women I pay to have sex with me. Blonde, brunette, redhead. Dark skin, fair skin. I haven’t cared. As long as they agree to the terms.

  And they all do. They get paid enough.

  This one’s not getting paid, though, is she? No, she’s the one who’s going to pay.

  “Now what?”

  Her voice doesn’t shake but there’s something in her tone that makes me want to grin. She’s just as turned on as I am.

  Good. That’s good. I want her with me every step of the way.

  “Come around to this side.”

  I push my chair farther way from the desk, the tiny rollers under the legs allowing it to move easily, giving her more than enough space to stand between me and the desk.

  She hesitates now, her lips tightening as if she wants to say something but can’t find the right words. The only word I’ll accept is yes.

  She must know this because after several seconds, she finally moves.

  Her motions aren’t as smooth as they were before. She’s hesitant and I wonder if she’s considering reneging. Or running. I wouldn’t put it past her.

  But she has nowhere to go and everything to lose if she does.

  Of course, she’s going to lose everything anyway.

  Finally, she’s standing in front of me, and if I wasn’t so set on my mission, I might actually be a little in awe of her.

  She’s all sleek muscle and gentle curves, and my jaw sets. The dark hair at the juncture of her thighs is trimmed short and I’m pretty sure she shaves between her legs. I want her to sit on the edge of the desk so I can put my mouth over her and use my tongue to fuck her.

  I want her to grab my hair and pull until it hurts. I’ve let it grow because getting it cut hasn’t been a priority. I’m not the face of the company. I prefer to work behind the scenes, out of the spotlight. When I get sick of it, I’ll have it cut off, though I admit I’ve gotten used to the length.

  As if she’s read my mind, her gaze falls to my shoulders, where my hair hangs over by at least two inches. She probably thinks I look homeless but I’m not here to impress her.

  I’m here to make her father pay for his crimes.

  But first, unless she fights me, which I don’t think she will, I’ll make her scream when she comes.

  “Sit on the edge of the desk.”

  My voice has a definite growl now. I need to get that under control.

  Finally, she balks. Her hands clench into fists for several seconds before she releases them. “No. Whatever you want, you can do it while I’m standing.”

  My mouth curves into a smile, which contributes, I’m sure, to her hesitancy.

  “I can think of a few things I want to do to you while you’re standing but right now I want you on the desk.”

  She swallows hard. “And if I refuse?”

  I shrug. “Then you leave without your precious file.”

  I see her weigh the options and I wonder if maybe she does have a breaking point. If there’s a limit to what she’ll do for her father. The bastard doesn’t deserve her devotion. Not after what he’s done.

  Then she takes a step back, puts her hands on the desk behind her, and lifts herself onto the top. The wood must be cool beneath her ass and thighs because a shiver works through her body.

  She manages to get herself situated without spreading her legs and now I’m aching for a glimpse of her pussy. My jaw shifts and I resist the urge to tell her to spread her legs.

  I will soon enough. And then I’ll put my mouth on her.

  For now, I just stare. But something bothers me.

  “Release you
r hair.”

  The words are out before I realize I’m going to speak.

  Now her jaw sets, resolute.

  “No.”

  I let my smile grow. “Then I guess I’ll just have to do it myself. That’s okay. I was getting up anyway.”

  I rise to my feet, her gaze glued to mine, and close the few steps between us. I stop centimeters from her knees, so close I swear I can feel the heat of her body through my jeans.

  I stare down at her for several long seconds, her dark eyes widening, whether in surprise or fear, I’m not sure. Since I don’t want her to fear me, at least not now, I try to soften my stance.

  But it’s not happening because nothing about me is soft now. Every muscle in my body is tense, my cock hard as stone, and my mind focused on only one thing. Making her comply.

  I lift my arm and she doesn’t flinch but her eyes widen as she watches me reach for the braid at the nape of her neck.

  My fingers brush against the skin of her shoulders and she swallows so hard I can hear her. I grip the braid in my hand and bring it around to the front. I flick off the rubber band at the end and let the silky strands spill through my fingers.

  Her hair is stick-straight and so black it has blue highlights. It falls over her shoulder and covers one breast. It’s sexy as fuck but I want to see her breasts so I push it aside, letting my fingers brush her nipple. The tip is tight and puckered and it’s all I can do to hold myself back from putting my mouth over it and sucking hard.

  She can’t control her breathing any longer and her chest rises and falls at an ever-increasing pace. I’m having the same problem but I refuse to rush. I’ve been planning this night for months, planning this revenge, and she’s not going to entice me into rushing.

  Whether she leaves at daybreak or sunset tomorrow doesn’t matter. I’ll have had her and that’s all that matters.

  But first, I have to know.

  With my hands centimeters from her breast, I lift my head and stare into her eyes. Hers have widened even more and her lips are trembling and slightly parted.

  Holy fuck. She’s sex incarnate.

  Sucking in air as discreetly as I can, I say, “Are you sure you don’t want to leave? Without the file, of course…but with your clothes.”